System and method for dynamic creation of product links from a web browser application

Abstract

A method and system is provided for facilitating affiliate link generation using a web browser application. A publisher enables the system by identifying a webpage on an affiliate web site. The system performs an initial assessment of the page to extract webpage information, which is compared to information stored in a database. If the extracted information matches stored information, a record of the webpage is displayed and an affiliate link is dynamically generated for immediate use. If the extracted information does not match stored information, a new record of the webpage is created. If the webpage contains product-specific data, a product-specific record is stored. If the webpage does not contain product-specific data, a non-product record is stored. An affiliate link is then dynamically created. The new record of the product and dynamically created affiliate link is added to the database for immediate use.

We claim: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for dynamic management of affiliate links, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a first processor from a second processor, a request for a web browser application tool that includes one or more items of computer-readable code that are adapted to:
 (i) be installed into and to operate in coordination with a web browser operating on the second processor, and 
 (ii) initiate generation of a custom link to a webpage displayed on the web browser without manual entry of a web address URL link of the webpage by an operator of the second processor; and 
 
 providing the web browser application tool to the second processor for installation into the web browser, wherein the web browser application tool is installed by the second processor as a web browser application accessed via a single selection of an element displayed on the web browser, and in response to the single selection of the element as the webpage is displayed on the web browser, the accessed web browser application is configured to display a user interface including a control element selectable to initiate the generation of the custom link. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface further includes information associated with a product associated with the webpage. 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display an estimated commission associated with a product on the webpage. 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display one or more images associated with a product displayed on the webpage. 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to receive a selection of one image among one or more images provided by the webpage. 
     
     
       6. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to request input from an operator of the second processor regarding image selection. 
     
     
       7. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a first user interface, and wherein the web browser application tool is configured to provide a second user interface configured to receive input for a product image. 
     
     
       8. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display a notification that an advertiser, a retailer, or an owner associated with the webpage is not supported. 
     
     
       9. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display extracted webpage information. 
     
     
       10. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to determine whether the second processor is associated with a registered publisher. 
     
     
       11. A system for dynamic management of affiliate links, the system comprising:
 at least one server having at least one processor configured to:
 provide a web browser application tool for installation that includes one or more items of computer-readable code that are adapted to:
 (i) be installed into and to operate in coordination with a web browser operating on a second processor, and 
 (ii) initiate generation of a custom link to a webpage displayed on the web browser without manual entry of a web address URL link of the webpage by an operator of the second processor, 
 wherein the web browser application tool is installed by the second processor as a web browser application accessed via a single selection of an element displayed on the web browser, and in response to the single selection of the element as the webpage is displayed on the web browser, the accessed web browser application is configured to display a user interface including a control element selectable to initiate the generation of the custom link; 
 
 be in network communication with the web browser application tool to receive a request from the second processor in response to a selection of the control element; and 
 generate the custom link to the webpage in response to the request received from the second processor and input into the web browser application tool. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface further includes information associated with a product associated with the webpage. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display an estimated commission associated with a product on the webpage. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display one or more images associated with a product displayed on the webpage. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to receive a selection of one image among one or more images provided by the webpage. 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a first processor of a server configured to provide a web browser application tool, cause the first processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, from a second processor, a request for a web browser application tool that includes one or more items of computer-readable code that are adapted to:
 (i) be installed into and to operate in coordination with a web browser operating on the second processor, and 
 (ii) initiate generation of a custom link to a webpage displayed on the web browser without manual entry of a web address URL link of the webpage by an operator of the second processor; and 
 
 providing the web browser application tool to the second processor for installation into the web browser, wherein the web browser application tool is installed by the second processor as a web browser application accessed via a single selection of an element displayed on the web browser, and in response to the single selection of the element as the webpage is displayed on the web browser, the accessed web browser application is configured to display a user interface including a control element selectable to initiate the generation of the custom link. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the user interface further includes information associated with a product associated with the webpage. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display an estimated commission associated with a product on the webpage. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the web browser application tool is configured to display one or more images associated with a product displayed on the webpage, and wherein the web browser application tool is configured to receive a selection of one image among the one or more images. 
     
     
       20. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the custom link to the webpage is a link for integration into online content of a publisher associated with the second processor, and wherein interactions with the webpage, when the webpage is accessed via the custom link, are tracked in association with the publisher.